The Works of God

Oh, if you saw the everlasting crowns of My saints in heaven, if you saw in how great joy and glory they are who sometimes seemed to be despised in the world, you would soon humble yourself low to the ground, and you would rather be subject to all men than to have authority over one person.

You would not desire to have happiness and pleasure in this world, but rather to bear with tribulation and pain, and you would account it a great gain to be considered as nothing among the people.

Oh, if these things tasted sweet to you and deeply pierced your heart, you would not dare once to complain of any manner of trouble that should befall you.

Are not all painful things and most grievous labors gladly to be endured for joy everlasting? Yes, truly. It is no little thing to win or lose the kingdom of heaven.

Thomas a Kempis, “How All Grievous Things in This Life Are Gladly to be Suffered for Winning the Life That Is to Come” in The Imitation of Christ, p. 173.